Versatility the key to World Cup glory

Ewen McKenzie will be writing for RugbyHeaven exclusively this season every Thursday.

A little over a year ago, I read a lot of comments on rugby blogs suggesting the Wallabies didn’t have the cattle to win. This was at a time when Wallaby results were unpredictable and the fans were quick to find reason to criticise.

Scroll forward and after one week of Super rugby, the fans are writing that we are blessed with an abundance of talent, so much so that some of the provinces are spoilt for choice.

It’s incredible how 12 months can make such a difference. The real reason, however, is that it’s never as bad as it seems and never as good.

Punters should spend more time looking at the real depth of our Super squads as this is the truest indicator of our rugby status. We are number two in world rugby and have been for significant periods of time since 2007. We have been reasonable healthy for some time.

Most casual commentators spend much time debating the merits of the starting 15 but it’s the players that are numbered 23 -30 that will make the biggest difference across a campaign.

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Spend time looking at the match-winning capabilities of these players and you will get some idea about the prospects of a team. ‘Match winning’ is far different to ‘match participation’.

Looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup, the amateur selectors need to pay careful consideration to the rules of the competition. Only 30 players can be picked and substituted players are only allowed if there is a two-week injury and the player needs to be replaced.

What does this mean? Philosophically, the selectors will need to determine whether they carry three specialist players at hooker and halfback.

This is where the composition of the squad gets complex and it possibly explained why Robbie Deans flirted with Pek Cowan as a prop/hooker to perhaps alleviate this issue. It also might be a reason why Matt Giteau might prove to be very important as a pinch hitter as the third halfback.

If the selectors go with three specialist players then it leaves the other 13 positions to be covered by 24 players - not two players for each position and a good counter argument to the bloggers who lament versatility in a player.

There is going to be players who are selected to play in a couple of positions. Back five scrum players will be important and that’s why James Horwill, currently playing at blindside, is not a risk but a potential solution.

Multi-position backline players will also be a premium in the selector’s minds so the experimentation by Super coaches will in fact give the selectors great insight into a tricky squad selection situation.

It is worth noting that the RWC is the only time that national teams operate in a tournament environment that is similar to the Super rugby program. It is a far different beast when you have a finite squad situation.

Currently the Wallaby test coach can select from 150 professional players every time he chooses a test team. Come RWC they will only have access to 30 players across an intensive competition, therefore the man management and capability of players to troubleshoot will be a key.

Luckily, the southern hemisphere countries have plenty of experience at this because that’s exactly how the Super competition works.